9:45 a.m.: Convene and begin a period of morning business. Thereafter, resume consideration of S. 256, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005.
SUSPENSION OF RUSSIA FROM THE G8 -- (Senate - February 28, 2005)
[Page: S1792] GPO's PDF
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Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I rise today, along with my good friend Senator McCain, to speak about a resolution that is of great importance to the cause of democracy which we have devoted America to advance at home and around the world. In November 2003 Senator McCain and I were moved by Russia's failure to adhere to democratic principles to submit a resolution to hold Russia accountable for the commitments Moscow made when first invited to participate in what became known as the G8. Since then, the situation in Russia has deteriorated. I am particularly pleased that Senators BAYH, BURNS, CHAMBLISS, SMITH, and DURBIN have joined as original co-sponsors of this resolution indicating the increasing Senatorial concern over the accelerating erosion of democratic and economic freedom in Russia. As President Bush returns from his meeting with President Putin at the summit in Bratislava, we call once again on the President of the United States and the Secretary of State to work with our partners in the G7 to condition Russia's continued participation in the G8 on Russia's compliance with basic standards of democracy and rule of law.
We have a real stake in Russia's adherence to democratic norms because our commitment to Russia's transition toward democracy is critical to secure a peaceful future with Russia. The G7 nations are highly industrialized countries bound together by fundamental principles of democracy, rule of law, a free market system, and respect for human rights.
The actions of President Putin over the past few years have raised serious concerns about Russia's commitment to these principles. There is a long list of well-documented antidemocratic developments in Russia. The Putin administration has limited freedom of expression in Russia by seizing independent media organizations and suppressing the activities of independent journalists, religious organizations, and nongovernmental organizations that are all integral components of a healthy civil society. The Russian government's dismantling of Yukos and the arrest of its founder Mikhail Khodorkovsky 16 months ago raised serious doubts about Russia's commitment to free market principles and rule of law as well as respect for property and shareholder rights. The Federal Security Services, FSB, play a strong role in Russia's power structures in a manner reminiscent of the KGB in the old regime. President Putin's support for the first fraudulent results in the Ukrainian presidential elections last year exhibited disregard for basic democratic principles. Fortunately, a democratic outcome prevailed in a new vote and Yushchenko's victory--a very positive development for Ukraine's and Russia's democrats.
We were all moved by the horrific attack on the schoolchildren and families of Beslan school last September. There can be no justification for such brutal acts and we condemn them with every fiber of our soul. Our hearts and sympathy go out to the families of these victims as they continue to cope with the loss of their loved ones. The United States condemns terrorism in all forms. But the tragedy of the Beslan school should not be used by President Putin to retreat from democratic reforms. In the wake of the Beslan crisis, President Putin abolished the popular election of regional governors in favor of presidential appointees. These changes to the Russian political system enhance the power of the executive branch, while reducing the checks and balances that make democracies work. As former Secretary of State Colin Powell said, ``We understand the need to fight against terrorism ..... but in an attempt to go after terrorists I think one has to strike a proper balance to make sure that you don't move in a direction that takes you away from the democratic reforms or the democratic process.''
Allowing Russia to continue its involvement in the G8 and to host the 2006 G8 Summit while continuing to undermine democracy makes mockery of the very principles that bind theÐ G8 countries together. This resolution is not anti-Russian; it is a strong show of support for Russia's democrats who have long urged the United States to not turn a blind eye to undemocratic developments in Russia. Sharing a deeply personal moment from his time in Soviet Gulag, Natan Sharansky recently told a group of Senators how deeply supported he felt when President Reagan gave his famous ``evil empire'' speech that honestly addressed the oppression of the Soviet system. Since then Russia has come a long way, but we must speak openly in the face of the backsliding we are seeing.
As Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice recently said, ``The real deepening of our relations can only take place on the basis of common values.'' To do otherwise would be to shirk our responsibilities as a leader of the democratic world. And as President Bush said so eloquently in his inaugural and State of the Union addresses, America's security is advanced by the advancement of freedom. This resolution puts those sentiments into concrete action and I urge my fellow Senators to support it.
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07:32 am (est.)
0:31
Senate Proceeding
Senate Session
U.S. Senate
Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Nomination of William Myers March 1, 2005
However, much as we have worked together on both sides of the aisle to fill an impressive number of vacancies by any measure, President Bush continues to insist on a handful of extreme, activist nominees to key positions on some circuit courts. Even after the Senate, through the use of long-standing rules, has denied confirmation to these nominees and has made clear that they are highly controversial within the Senate and to the American people, the President has continued to support them and send them back time and again to the Senate. He did it again just a few weeks ago, when he renominated 20 candidates for federal judgeships, seven of whom have already been considered by the Senate, and others about whom he knows there is great controversy and disagreement. By sending these nominations back to the Senate he is choosing partisan politics over good policy and obstructing our ability to fill the few remaining vacancies.
The nominee before us today, William Myers, is among those already examined, and the Senate has withheld its consent to his lifetime appointment. This nomination was rejected for its partisanship and lack of distinguished qualifications. Instead of trying to change the vote on this nomination, the President would be well advised to work with the Senate to find a consensus nominee to fill the vacancy on the Ninth Circuit. That would go a long way toward avoiding the kind of debacle the Chairman so rightly predicts could ensue if we continue on the path this nomination represents.
I agree with what the Democratic Leader has said about the already-considered judicial nominees, and I too expect that the outcome of this nomination will not change if we are pushed to consider it again in Committee and on the Senate Floor. I still oppose the confirmation of Mr. Myers to the Ninth Circuit for all of the reasons I laid out last July. I still believe Mr. Myers to be perhaps the most anti-environmental judicial nominee sent to the Senate in my 30 years in representing Vermont in the U.S. Senate. I still believe that the nomination of William Myers to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is an example of how this President has misused his power of appointments to the federal bench. I still believe Mr. Myers is not independent enough to receive confirmation for a lifetime appointment to this federal circuit court. Nothing has changed.
The Senate convened at 9:45 a.m. and adjourned at 7:03 p.m. Two record votes were taken.
9:15 a.m.: Convene and begin a period of morning business.
10:15 a.m.: Resume consideration of S. 256, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005.
The Senate convened at 9:15 a.m. and adjourned at 6:58 p.m. Five record votes were taken.
9:30 a.m.: Convene and proceed to consideration of S.J.Res.4, providing for congressional disapproval of a rule submitted by the Dept. of Agriculture. [Has something to do w/ Mad Cow]
Thereafter, resume consideration of S. 256, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005.
The Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Seven record votes were taken.
9:30 a.m.: Convene and resume consideration of S. 256, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005.
CORNYN up talking about JUDGES.......Just pulled out a quote form KENNEDY from 1975!!
Next meeting: Monday, Mar 7, 2005
2:00 p.m.: Convene and resume consideration of S. 256, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005.
The Senate convened at 2:00 p.m. and adjourned at 7:32 p.m. Two record votes were taken. [Both minimum wage increase amendments were Rejected.]
9:45 a.m.: Convene and resume consideration of S. 256, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005.
The Senate convened at 9:45 a.m. and adjourned at 7:18 p.m. Three record votes were taken.
9:30 a.m.: Convene and begin a period of morning business.
10:30 a.m.: Resume consideration of S. 256, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005.
The Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Five record votes were taken.
9:30 a.m.: Convene and begin a period of morning business.
11:00 a.m.: Resume consideration of S. 256, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005.
The Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 6:52 p.m. Nine record votes were taken.
Next meeting: Friday, Mar 11, 2005
9:30 a.m.: Convene and begin a period of morning business.
Next meeting: Monday, Mar 14, 2005
10:00 a.m.: Convene and begin consideration of S. Con. Res. 18, the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Resolution.
The Senate convened at 10:00 a.m. and adjourned at 9:00 p.m. One record vote was taken.
9:30 a.m.: Convene and resume consideration of S. Con. Res. 18, the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Resolution.
Voting on Cantwell amendment next.
The Senate convened at 9:00 a.m. and adjourned at 9:48 p.m. Six record votes were taken.
9:00 a.m.: Convene and resume consideration of S. Con. Res. 18, the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Resolution.
Thursday, March 17, 2005 10:00 AM (c-span3)